Premier League games are arriving thick and fast this week and it's time to provide a Liverpool vs Watford prediction and some betting tips. Although Liverpool fired themselves back to the top of the Premier League table with a draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford, this game really does feel like a must win for the Reds.

Within this article, you'll find a recent form guide for Liverpool and Watford, pre-match analysis of squad injuries and strategies, alongside a match prediction and betting tips.

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Form Guide

Liverpool

Liverpool remain at the top of the Premier League table on 66 points, just 1 point clear of title rivals Manchester City. The Reds have been going through a tough spell recently and appear to be trying to drag themselves over the line to lift the Premier League trophy after a drought of 29 years. In their previous 5 games, Liverpool won 2 and drew 3.

Statistically, Liverpool have been impressive throughout the season so far. They've scored 59 times in the Premier League, an average of 2.11 goals per game. Defensively, they have also looked solid, despite a number of injuries to the back line, having conceded 15 times, an average of 0.54 goals per game.

Watford

Watford are enjoying a successful season this year and are currently sat in 7th position in the Premier League table on 40 points, ahead of Wolverhampton Wanderers on goal difference. In their previous 5 games, Watford won 2, lost 1, and drew 2.

Statistically, Watford are doing pretty well this season. They've scored 39 times in the Premier League, an average of 1.44 goals per game. Defensively, they have been fairly solid having conceded 35 times, an average of 1.30 goals per game.

Head to Head

Over the previous 10 meetings between the clubs, Liverpool won 8, Watford won 1, and there was 1 draw. In the corresponding fixture earlier this season, Liverpool were victorious away from home with a 0-3 scoreline.

Pre Match Analysis

Liverpool

Taking the Manchester United draw as an isolated game then Liverpool will be happy with a point as it's never been easy to get a positive result at Old Trafford. One point was enough to take the Reds back to the top of the Premier League table but many people will feel that Manchester United were there for the taking and, as such, it's two points dropped for Liverpool. Whether this is the case or not, Liverpool need to put that out of their mind and focus on what they can control in the present. On paper, Liverpool will be expected to win against Watford at Anfield but the Premier League does have a habit of throwing up strange results on a fairly regular basis. Take a look at Burnley vs Tottenham in the previous round of fixtures for a prime example of this. Nonetheless, the title challenge is still in Liverpool's hands and there are a lot of games to be played by the Reds and Manchester City before the end of the season.

Strategically, Liverpool need to assert their home dominance on this game from the first whistle. The Anfield crowd will be right behind their team and an 8pm kick-off under the stadium lights always provides an extra edge to the game. With Firmino looking to miss this game due to injury, it's likely that Shaqiri will start on the right wing with Salah moving to a more central position and Mane on the left. Fabinho and Wijnaldum will be almost certain to start in midfield but Henderson may make way for Keita in this game as Liverpool look to improve on their attacking threat. The onus is on Liverpool to take the game to Watford here. Quick passing from the midfield to attack will allow Liverpool to find spaces to work within before Watford manage to set back into well-drilled defensive units. However, the Reds need to be careful not to give Watford any encouragement in the form of set pieces or counter-attacks, as the last thing they need is to concede and have to chase the result.

Watford

Watford have done well to get themselves into the top half of the Premier League table this season and have put in some great performances along the way. However, their form does remain erratic at times. Examples of this include 0-0 draws with Burnley and Brighton, while they hammered Cardiff City 1-5. Liverpool at Anfield will be a much bigger test for this Watford team, however, and they'll need to be at their best to get anything out of the game.

Strategically, Watford will need to frustrate Liverpool for as long as possible by remaining compact with the aim of stifling any Liverpool attacks. If they can get through the first 20 minutes or so without conceding then there are likely to be opportunities to come forward in their own attacking phases. What Watford do not want to happen is for the game to become too open as Liverpool are at their best when counter-attacking and could punish them when possession is overturned. At the same time, Watford would be naive to simply sit back and try to defend for 90 minutes as Liverpool will be likely to play a greater number of creative attacking players in this game than they did against Manchester United at Old Trafford. If Alexander-Arnold is rested again then Watford should look to attack a makeshift right-back in the form of Milner. Although a versatile player, Milner's age means he is beaten by pace a lot more than Alexander-Arnold or Gomez would be. However, having been rested at Old Trafford, Alexander-Arnold is likely to return to the starting lineup.

Prediction

Although there is a pressure on Liverpool to win this game they are rightfully strong favourites here. With the Anfield crowd behind them, I believe they will get the job done and take all 3 points.

Prediction: Liverpool win

Score Prediction: Liverpool 3 - 1 Watford

Betting Tips

I fancy there to be a fair few goals in this game so have opted for small stakes on the Over 2.5 and Over 3.5 Goals markets. I have also backed Liverpool to win. Although this doesn't represent much value as Liverpool are heavily priced in, there wasn't much else that piqued my interest.

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